Timed to follow the Department for Health’s ongoing review of the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability – and with the Minister for Health identifying mental health as a key priority for the forthcoming mandate and pledging to be a ‘mental health champion’ – this timely seminar will assess mental health provision in Northern Ireland. Delegates will have an opportunity to consider the recommendations of the Department’s evaluation of the Bamford Review, including how reform would be implemented and what effect it may have on service users and the Health Service. There will also be an opportunity to discuss how to best utilise the resources allocated for the prevention and treatment of mental health problems; bring out new thinking in relation to methods of care and treatment; and consider issues surrounding the growing problem of poor mental health in young people and mental health issues for older people. Those attending will include key policymakers as well as stakeholders from Health and Social Care services for mental health, advocacy and patient groups, mental health charities and community care organisations, local authorities, academics and commentators, and others with an interest in the important issues being discussed.

We are delighted to be able to include in this seminar a keynote address from Andrew Dawson, Head of Mental Health Policy and Capacity Unit, Department of Health, Northern Ireland Executive. Further confirmed speakers include: Oscar Donnelly, Divisional Director, Mental Health, Learning Disability and Community, Northern Health and Social Care Trust; Dr Iris Elliott, Head of Policy and Research, Mental Health Foundation; Dr Raman Kapur, Chief Executive, Threshold; Dr Gerry Lynch, Chair, Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland and Vice Chair, Royal College of Psychiatrists; Mairéad McCafferty, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People; Trevor Millar, Director, Adult Mental Health and Disability Services, Western Health and Social Care Trust; Professor Siobhan O’Neill, Professor of Mental Health Sciences, Ulster University and Eileen Shevlin, Expert by experience.

Robbie Butler MLA, Ulster Unionist Party Spokesperson for Mental Health and Member, Committee for Health, Northern Ireland Assembly has kindly agreed to chair the first half of this seminar.